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ICRS implantation can delay penetrating keratoplasty and improve contact lens tolerance, but does not treat the underlying process. Toric PIOL implantation is effective, but ectasia progression is a concern. Crescentic lamellar keratoplasty and TILK are effective, but technically difficult and without long-term results. CLWR is effective, but lacks long-term results. FTCWR has good visual outcomes, but with significant astigmatic drift. DALK provides visual outcomes similar to penetrating keratoplasty without the risk of immune-mediated graft rejection, but its complexity and relative novelty limit its acceptance. Penetrating keratoplasty is the treatment of last resort in PMD and is effective, but with considerable complications. Reported data for each treatment is presented.
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This is the first review article looking at the literature specific to PMD. To review and evaluate current and future directions in the diagnosis and surgical management of pellucid marginal degeneration (PMD), including penetrating keratoplasty, full-thickness crescentic wedge resection (FTCWR), deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK), crescentic lamellar wedge resection (CLWR), crescentic lamellar keratoplasty, tuck-in lamellar keratoplasty (TILK), toric phakic intraocular lens (PIOL) implantation, intrastromal corneal ring segment implantation (ICRS), corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL), and combined therapies.
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